Priyanka Kaul is shaping professional cricket in Europe as co-founder of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), establishing a league that nurtures talent and strengthens the sport’s presence in emerging markets. “Building a cricket league in emerging markets is not a sprint. It takes patience, a lot of belief, and the right partners who are willing to back the vision for the long haul.” Her focus is on creating structures and partnerships that are sustainable, ethical, and long-term.
Kaul’s path to sports entrepreneurship was preceded by a distinguished media career. She spent nearly two decades at NDTV, rising from production roles to Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer. Reflecting on her growth, she says, “Curiosity has always driven me. I have never believed careers need to follow a straight line. Every role I have taken from production and journalism to marketing and business leadership, has given me a different perspective on people, audiences and what drives growth.” Later, as CEO of Forbes India, she simultaneously served as Chief Marketing Officer of the parent company, Network18, overseeing multiple channels and digital platforms.
Her first direct involvement in cricket came with India’s University Cricket Championship, a project she led under the guidance of Dr Prannoy Roy, then CEO of NDTV, with Rahul Dravid and Shah Rukh Khan serving as ambassadors. “What fascinated me wasn’t just the game itself, but the power of sport to unite communities, create economic opportunity and inspire ambition at scale.” Years later, she reunited with Dhiraj Malhotra and longtime NDTV colleague Saurav Banerjee. Together, they partnered with Abhishek Bachchan, who joined as a co-founder, and the team launched ETPL with a shared vision for growth and quality. “Businesses are ultimately built by people. What has made this journey possible is having partners who share the same values and commitment. When the right people come together, the foundation is strong and the work becomes meaningful and fun.”
Kaul is mindful of her position as one of the few women in senior leadership in cricket entrepreneurship. She emphasizes confidence and merit: “Talent, capability and hard work are not gendered. The key is having the confidence to take your seat at the table and the conviction to stay there.” She advocates for gender-neutral hiring, stressing that opportunities should be based on ability rather than assumptions about background or gender.
Through ETPL, Kaul continues to expand the sport’s footprint in Europe, building operational, commercial, and talent pathways while modeling collaborative, strategic leadership. Her current work reflects a deliberate focus on sustainable growth and meaningful impact in a sector where she is breaking new ground.